Category: News Release

News Release: KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater named as finalist

Soldotna, December 15, 2011—The Anchorage School Board named KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater as one of the two finalists in its search for the next Anchorage, Alaska, Superintendent.
Mr. Joe Arness, KPBSD School Board president said:

“The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is proud to hear that Dr. Atwater has been named a finalist in the application process for the Anchorage superintendent job. Dr. Atwater has done a fine job on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula, and while we would be very sorry to see him go, we certainly wish him well. Operations of the school district will continue without interruption until such time as a final decision is made in Anchorage, and then the KPBSD School Board will respond to whatever that decision may be. At this point, Dr. Atwater remains under contract to the Kenai Peninsula and will remain welcome to continue that relationship should he not be offered, or accept, the Anchorage Superintendent position.”

In a press release on December 15, 2011, the Anchorage School District announced: “The Anchorage school board reviewed more than 150 applications, containing more than 1,600 pages of candidate information. The two finalists, Atwater and Browder, will each participate in a three-day on-site visit in early January to continue the interview process, learn more about the district, speak with staff and students, and meet members of the community.”
Links
KPBSD Press Release: KPBSD Superintendent Steve Atwater named as Anchorage finalist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District website
Anchorage School District Superintendent Search
E-mail Mr. Joe Arness, School Board President: JArness@KPBSD.k12.ak.us
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, Communications Specialist
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Phone: (907) 714-8888
Fax: (907) 262-5867
Pegge@kpbsd.org 
148 N. Binkley, Soldotna, AK 99669
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PSA: KPBSD revises "Goals for Student Learning"

FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 28, 2011

What is your vision for student learning?

Public Comment Invited:
KPBSD revises “Goals For Student Learning” BP 0210

 The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is revising “Goals for Student Learning” BP 0210.
The KPBSD school board invites your comments and thoughts about the proposed revised policy. The current Board Policy 0210, Goals for Student Learning, was adopted in 1996. This is a broad policy that serves to guide district level curriculum decisions.
Please take a few minutes to review the new draft “Vision for Student Learning,” the current policy, then offer your thoughts via an online comment box.
To respond, go to the KPBSD website, and follow the link in the Community Interest section, www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Please respond by December 1.
Read and comment link: “Vision for Student Learning”

News Release: Spring Creek School to close June 30, 2012

Soldotna, October 20, 2011—
The Youthful Offender Program (YOP), currently located in Seward, Alaska, will move from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to the Anchorage School District June 30, 2012.
Spring Creek School is part of the Youthful Offender Program (YOP) located in Spring Creek Correctional Center—a maximum security state operated correctional facility in Seward, Alaska. The Alaska Department of Corrections determined the YOP can be better served at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, a multi-custody correctional facility with several dorms in an array of sizes.
Alaska Department of Corrections Commissioner Joe Schmidt explained, “The Youthful Offender Program is moving because of a bed issue.” Thus the variety of dorm sizes available at the Anchorage Correctional Complex will be able to better serve the Youthful Offender Program.
KPBSD began the educational programming at Spring Creek School in the fall of 2000. Dr. Steve Atwater, KPBSD superintendent said:

 “We’re very sorry to see the program leave the district, however we understand the reason why, and we will work closely with Anchorage School District.”

Spring Creek School and high school graduation will proceed as usual for the 2011-2012 school year. KPBSD staff has been advised of the June 30 closure. We are offering to help the Anchorage School District with the transition.
About the Youthful Offender Program: This is an intensive program of rehabilitation for incarcerated youth up to 22 years of age. The program includes ongoing needs assessment, treatment planning, daily support, high school education programming operated by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, counseling and structured living. This program is available to pretrial and convicted youthful offenders.
For questions regarding Alaska Department of Corrections please contact Mr. Richard Schmitz at 907-209-5245.
For questions regarding this news release and KPBSD please contact Pegge Erkeneff at 907-714-8888.
Links

PSA: Safety Precaution Reminder

October 14, 2011: PSA: Safety Precaution Reminder

Parental supervision requested for children at bus stops, and while walking and biking to and from school.

KPBSD reminds parents and guardians not to leave young children unattended at bus stops. Ideally, children should walk and bike to school in groups. Children are reminded to report any suspicious behavior to their parents or an adult in charge, who in turn should contact their respective school. The safety of our students is paramount.
On October 3, a group of students from K—Beach Elementary School reported that they were approached at a bus stop after school, and asked if they needed a ride. As a precaution, this incidence was reported to the school administration and the State Troopers. KPBSD alerted First Student bus transportation on October 4.
On October 14, school administrators at Mountain View Elementary School were informed by students that they were approached by an adult at varying times both before and after school, during prior days. The Kenai Police department was contacted October 14, and determined the stories to be false and unsubstantiated.
Please contact the Kenai Police Department or the State Troopers if you have questions about either of these reports.
As a school district, we are committed to maintaining safe schools. This is a team effort between parents, students, schools, the community, and law enforcement. Providing all students with a safe learning environment is our top priority.
Read: PSA: Parental Supervision requested for young children at bus stops
PSAs and News Releases are always posted on www.KPBSD.k12.ak.us > Communications > Media and Public Relationships page

Making News: Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula

The US Department of Education awards Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula a 128,000 grant! I posted a news release–along with others–on the KPBSD Media and Public Relationships Communications page. I’m excited about this grant–Project GRAD empowers and inspires  low income students students to obtain a high school diploma, and achieve success in post-secondary education. 

The $128,000 Gear Up Grant (GU) length is for six years, and requires a cohort model which begins at grade 2 and continues through grade 8. KPBSD schools in Nanwalek, Port Graham, Razdolna, Tebughna, and Voznesenka will follow this cohort through the six years.

Dream, dare, do! Thank you to KPBSD, the US Department of Education, and Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula.
www.KPBSD.org 
KPBSD Communications
KPBSD Media and Public Relationships